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When are you actually an adult? - Shannon Odell

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9,561 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Most countries recognize 18 as the start of adulthood by granting various freedoms and privileges. Yet there’s no exact age or moment in development that we can point to as having reached full maturity. If there’s no consensus on exactly when we reach maturity, when do we actually become adults? Shannon Odell shares how scientists define adulthood using stages of brain development.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Shannon Odell
  • Director Biljana Labović
  • Narrator Alexandra Panzer, Gen Parton-Shin, May Yoshioka
  • Storyboard Artist Wing Luo
  • Animation Supervisor Amarello Rodrigues, Henrique Barone

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